2003 Smart Roadster 80 Auto

Highlights

• Rear-engined, rear-wheel-drive sports car weighing just 790 kg

• Retractable soft-top

• Factory Luxury Pack with heated leather seats

• Just 36,388 miles from new with two owners

• Original Smart service booklet with 13 stamped entries

Overview

Strip away the badges and consider the fundamentals. A turbocharged engine mounted behind the cabin, drive sent to the rear wheels, and a kerb weight south of 800 kg. That's the architecture of a proper sports car. It also happens to describe the Smart Roadster.

First shown as a concept at the 1999 Frankfurt Motor Show and reaching UK showrooms in 2003, the Roadster paired a turbocharged 0.7-litre three-cylinder (proudly stamped "Engineered by Mercedes-Benz" on its inlet manifold) with a rear-wheel-drive chassis that tipped the scales at just 790 kg. Compact, light, and delivering sprightly performance, it blended frugal motoring with fresh-air appeal. It remains a genuine left-field alternative to the likes of the Mazda MX-5, Toyota MR2, and BMW Z3, with a character and engineering philosophy entirely its own.

This particular car was first registered on September 5th, 2003, among the earliest wave delivered to UK buyers. Finished in black body panels over the distinctive silver Tridion safety cell, it was specified from new with the Luxury Pack (heated leather seats with perforated centre panels and oval-hoop headrests). It also features the Sports Pack (steering wheel paddle shifters for the six-speed automated manual gearbox) and an electrically operated retractable soft-top. 

In all, it's a properly specified, gently used rear-engined sports car that's ready for its next keeper to enjoy.

History and documentation

• First registered 05 Sep 2003

• In current ownership since January 2020, acquired from a specialist Smart dealer at 30,000 miles

• Service history documented via stamped service booklet and supporting invoices: Sep 2004, May 2006, Mar 2008 @ 10,802 miles, Jul 2009 @ 14,035 miles, Jul 2010 @ 16,692 miles, Jul 2012 @ 20,217 miles, Jul 2013 @ 21,966 miles, Aug 2014 @ 25,388 miles, Dec 2015 @ 29,209 miles, Nov 2018 @ 30,292 miles, Jan 2020 @ 30,000 miles, Jan 2021 @ 31,885 miles, May 2022 (evidenced by a typed summary from a private mechanic), Jan 2024 @ 35,436 miles, Feb 2025 @ 35,879 miles, Feb 2026 @ 36,388 miles

• Alternator and auxiliary ribbed belt renewed February 2025 at 35,879 miles (invoiced at £831.29)

• Original Smart service booklet, book pack, purchase invoice, folder of invoices and MOT certificates, and OEM parts receipts from authorised Smart dealers all present

• Two keys

• LED number plate bulbs fitted July 2020

• Current MOT expires 11 Feb 2027

• HPI clear

• V5C present in the vendor's name

Interior

• Black leather seats with perforated centre panels and the distinctive oval-hoop headrests present in very good condition for a 22-year-old car

• The passenger seat shows minimal wear while the driver's seat displays light creasing on the base cushion with no splits or tears

• Dashboard is finished in dark grey plastic throughout, free of cracks, warping, or sun damage

• Smart-branded leather steering wheel shows even wear with contrast stitching intact

• Twin white-faced instrument dials (speedometer and rev counter) are clear and legible with no warning lights illuminated

• Original Smart Radio by Grundig head unit is fitted centrally with climate controls complete below

• Centre console features heated seat buttons, hazard switch, and traction control rocker, all present and intact, consistent with the Luxury Pack specification

• Sequential gear lever with its silver-topped knob and cream surround gate sits to the left of the steering column; the knob shows moderate polish consistent with regular use

• Smart-branded floor mats fitted to both footwells; carpets throughout are clean and in good order

• Door cards in good condition with integrated speaker grilles undamaged and recessed door pulls intact

• Aluminium door sill kick plates show light scuffing; Smart-branded sill badges are intact on both sides

• Lockable glovebox lid present with light surface scratching consistent with age

• Front boot is carpet-lined and clean with no visible staining or signs of water ingress

• Rear boot compartment is tidy with the retractable soft-top mechanism neatly stowed beneath the floor cover

• Engine bay shows the "smart Engineered by Mercedes-Benz" branded inlet manifold cover in place and intact

• Overall a well-presented cabin that's honest for its age and mileage, needing nothing more than a light detail clean

Exterior

• Finished in black body panels over the silver Tridion safety cell, presenting well with a consistent gloss finish across the car

• The vendor tells us the exterior is in good condition for its age with minor bodywork imperfections that don't detract from the overall appearance

• Under close inspection there are age-related marks typical of any black car that's been driven rather than stored: light swirl marks, scattered minor stone chips on the rear panels, and one localised area showing early lacquer bubbling along a panel edge; a machine polish would likely improve matters

• Headlight clusters are clear and un-hazed; tail lights feature the distinctive triple-circle design with intact, unfaded lenses

• Rear heated glass window is undamaged; high-level third brake light in the silver rear spoiler surround is intact

• Silver alloy wheels are in good overall condition with minor rim scuffing; tyre tread is good all round with moulding nubs still visible on the sidewalls

• Front bumper diamond-pattern mesh grille and side intake vents are complete and undamaged

• All shut lines and panel gaps appear consistent throughout

• Soft-top fabric sits neatly within the Tridion frame rails when closed, with visible fold-line creasing consistent with normal use of the concertina retraction mechanism; the folding hardware and linkage arms appear intact

• Wing mirrors are intact with no visible cracks to housing or glass

• An outdoor bespoke car cover is included in the sale

• Underneath, the plastic undertray is intact with no visible cracks or missing sections; steel subframe shows surface corrosion consistent with age but nothing that looks concerning

• An honest exterior that presents well from normal viewing distance, with nothing out of the ordinary for a well-kept car of this age

Mechanical

• Turbocharged 0.7-litre (698cc) three-cylinder engine producing 80 bhp and 81 lb ft of torque, rear-mounted

• Six-speed automated manual gearbox with sequential mode; steering wheel paddle shifters are fitted (as per the Sports Pack)

• Rear-wheel drive

• 0-62mph in 10.9 seconds; top speed of 109 mph

• Ventilated front disc brakes and rear drums

• Last serviced February 2026, including oil change with premium FUCHS TITAN 5W-40 oil, oil filter, and engine flush treatment

• Alternator and auxiliary ribbed belt renewed February 2025 at 35,879 miles

• The vendor tells us the car goes very well and is ready to drive

• No known mechanical faults reported by the vendor

• Brake pipe surface corrosion noted as a recurring MOT advisory and assessed by the servicing specialist as surface-level only

• A car that's been gently exercised throughout its life, benefiting from continuous use and regular specialist servicing

Summary

Turbocharged, rear-engined, rear-wheel drive, and weighing less than 800 kg. The Smart Roadster shares its fundamental layout with machinery costing many multiples of its price. This one comes with the Luxury and Sports Packs from the factory and an electrically operated soft-top. 

It brings two owners from new, 36,388 documented miles, and 13 stamped services in the original book. MOT'd to February 2027, it comes with both keys and the full document pack, and the vendor tells us it's ready to go. It’s not a collector's shelf ornament, nor a weekend project, just a properly sorted, genuinely usable rear-engine sports car for its next owner to enjoy.

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in London.